Chapter 1
At eight months pregnant, I went alone to the private hospital I owned for my prenatal check-up.
My number was called-and suddenly, a woman shoved me aside.
“Out of my way, mutt! How dare you cut MY line?!”
I pulled out my appointment slip, trying to explain, only to be slapped-hard, again and again.
“Do you know who you’re messing with? This is Mrs. Kingsley-wife of New York’s richest man! You, a nobody, actually have the nerve to block her?”
Even the doctor stood by, sneering at me.
“This whole hospital belongs to the Kingsleys. If Mrs. Kingsley wanted, she could crush you like a bug.”
My fists clenched tight.
If I wasn’t mistaken, New York’s current richest man was my husband-the one who’d married into MY fortune.
Before I could even call to confront Adrian Kingsley, the woman dialed first.
‘Babe, some shameless bitch is trying to cut me and the baby-come DEAL WITH HER!”
‘Who the hell dares to cross my wife-got a death wish? Babe, wait for me-I’m on my way.”
Adrian’s cold voice came through the phone, and my heart instantly sank.
Originally, I’d come for a checkup and quietly inspect the hospital.
never expected to caught Adrian’s affair instead.
The woman ended the call and turned to me with a patronizing smirk.
‘In New York, no one dares cut in front of me. Apologize RIGHT FUCKING NOW-or I’ll make you disappear.”
The doctor, who should’ve been treating patients, stood behind her with total disgust.
‘Do yourself a favor-apologize to Ms. Clara. Everyone knows she’s Adrian’s golden girl. Cross her and you’re toast.”
I looked this woman up and down with cold eyes.
Slight belly bump-maybe four or five months along.
The limited edition Hermès bag, the massive diamond necklace around her neck.
Everything looked familiar.
No wonder things had been disappearing from my walk-in closet lately.
‘d suspected a thief.
Turns out it was a traitor in my house.
Without hesitation, I texted my assistant Theo.
Freeze all of Adrian’s cards immediately. Revoke his VP position.”
‘he second I hit send, Clara lunged forward and snatched my phone, smashing it on the floor.
I’m talking to you! Are you deaf? I said APOLOGIZE!”
stared at my shattered phone, my expression darkening.
And what if I don’t?”
MACK.
sharp slap cut my words off-hot pain flared across my cheek.
It’s an order! Not a request.”
Pregnant and alone at the hospital-your husband must be dead, huh? You cut me? Wait till my husband shows – hat’s your last day!”
held my swollen cheek, my eyes turning ice-cold.
When your husband shows up, he’s gonna find out whose end it really is.”
lara’s face twisted with rage. Then she lunged again, yanking my hair viciously.
Still talking back?”
Mrs. Kingsley, don’t waste time on trash like this. Just have security throw her out. Blacklist her from every Skyline Lospital.”
The young doctor kissed up to Clara, massaging her shoulders with puppy-dog eyes.
harp pain shot through my scalp, but I gritted my teeth and forced my eyes onto the doctor’s name tag.
You’ll regret it! I’m taking this straight to your director-you’ve got no right to wear this uniform.”
After all, I was the one who promoted the hospital’s director.
The young doctor sneered and slapped me again.
“You? See our director? Not a chance – you don’t even belong here.”
Just as I was about to defend, a low voice cut through from behind.
“What’s going on here?”
The young doctor lit up at the interruption, smirking at me mockingly.
‘Our director’s here! You’re screwed! Starting tomorrow, no hospital in New York will treat you. When you’re due, good luck delivering that baby by YOURSELF!”
